Tips to Avoid the Dread of Spring Cleaning

(image from: https://pennstatehealthnews.org/2019/05/the-medical-minute-six-tips-for-safe-spring-cleaning/)

Winter has all but passed us by, and spring is just around the corner. With the new season, it is time to start thinking about spring cleaning your home. Spring cleaning is important for everyone, especially if you are someone who is prone to suffering from allergies. You owe it to yourself and your family members to enjoy a clean that is more than just the surface. But, you do not have to dread spring cleaning. You just need to find a way to organize and implement the cleaning. So let’s look at some spring cleaning tips to get your home in shape and allergy free, and be sure to put appliance repair London Ontario on your to do list. 

Start with a schedule

Scope out your home. Find which areas need the most work first. What areas do you usually skip during normal routine cleaning? Those are the best places to start. Though it does not really matter where you start, having a plan in place for how and when you are going to tackle each room will help you stay focused and motivated. Try looking online for spring cleaning checklists or templates to make this even easier. 

Time to declutter

Taking some time to reduce clutter makes you more efficient and helps you to stay organized. More than that though, clutter has the ability to influence your mood. It can signal your brain that work is not done. It has been shown that a disorganized home can add to your stress level. Add the stress to how much inhaling dust is hard on your body, and it can all take a toll. If you find that decluttering is too hard, try organizing the way you are going about it. Take it one room at a time, and focus on what you really need in your home versus what can stand to be trashed or sold. 

Start from the top

Since spring cleaning is such a deep clean, it is important to start from the ceiling and work your way down. Doing so forces debris downward and keeps you from having to redo cleaning and dusting that has already been done. If you have a vacuum with an extension hose, use it to get the cobwebs and dust from your ceilings and fans. After the ceiling, work on tables and furniture, then focus on cleaning the dust and debris from the floor. This is more efficient and it will save you time. 

Carpet Cleaning

If you are like many other people, you probably do not have a vacuum with the capacity to deep clean your carpets. This is important because you do not want to simply vacuum and wash your hands of the situation. At least once a year (spring cleaning is great) you should get your carpets deep cleaned. You can do this through carpet cleaning services like Chem-Dry of Richmond, or rental services at your local grocery store. Whatever you choose, make sure you are able to get your carpets treated and free of debris and dirt. 

Go Green for Spring Cleaning

Your entire goal is to start spring off on a clean note, so don’t ruin that by exposing yourself to chemicals and toxins that can be avoided. A steam cleaner is a great green product for spring cleaning. You can use it to clean your microwave, tile, hardwood floors, kitchen appliances, bathrooms, and some outdoor areas. Since steam cleaners rely on hot water vapor, they are 100% natural and chemical-free solutions. If you don’t want to buy a steam cleaner, the best natural combinations for cleaning is white distilled vinegar, baking soda, and water. 

Don’t forget the walls and windows

It is pretty typical for people to clean their floors, but they can easily forget about the walls and windows. But, not all dust settles on the floor and other surfaces. Take a damp towel and wipe down the walls and blinds (top to bottom). Take the screens out of your windows and wipe those down as well. When it comes to cleaning the actual window, a steam cleaner and squeegee are great for reducing water spots and keeping windows shiny. 

The kitchen and bathroom are important too

Don’t be afraid of cleaning your bathroom. There are plenty of ways to clean them quickly and hit the trouble spots. Some common trouble areas that you may run into include:

    Bathrooms:

• Change your shower curtain (at least the liner)
• Go through your makeup drawer and medicine cabinets and throw away items that are expired or not used
• Clean out the bathroom fan (this can hold a lot of dust and other unpleasant items). The fans ventilate moisture during showers and remove odors and vapor. They help keep the bathroom air clean and safe for use.. 

    Kitchens:

• Wipe down the cabinets
• Clean out the pantry and fridge. Wipe down the shelving and throw away items that are old or expired
• Use gentle cleaners or a steam cleaner on your stainless steel appliances to avoid scratching or marking the surfaces. 

Clean the air too

Replace your furnace and HVAC filters. This is one of the most important and often overlooked parts of spring cleaning. By replacing a standard filter with a new, more robust one, you will be healthier and happier as you enter spring. They catch small and irritating particles that can make you unhappy and cause respiratory issues. This is an inexpensive way to make sure you are breathing clean and healthy air. Also consider getting an air purifier to help get rid of the dust of winter.

Spring cleaning can be stressful and daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Organize the way you want to tackle the process and have a plan so that you can get through it without too much of a hassle. Your house (and body) will thank you.